The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-05-07
BRASS FURNITURE.
Designs in Chairs, Bedsteads and Cabinets
That Are All the Rage Now.


When the popular taste began some
time ago to lean towards articles made
of brass many persons laughed at what
they called spasm and said it could
not last thong, but if the trade done in
this line of goods is any thing to go by
the craze is increasing. Popular taste,
in fact, is running riot in this regard.
Fancy woodwork, so popular year OF
so ago, is practically out of the market.
Not only is this metal used in the manu-
facture of bric-a-brac and ornamental
pieces, but in many of the recently
built dwellings it constitutes much OF
practical and substantial appointments.
For portieres, mantel facings and stair
castings polished brass has been in use
for long time, but it was not until re-
Gently that it took the place of softer
and less expensive materials in the
manufacture of panelings for doors,
sills, baluster rails, balconies and the
like, Its use in the manufacture OF
household articles has Knocked good
sized hole in the furniture business. fol
a portion of dwelling can to-day be
furnished in brass, from the kitchen
poker up to a child's swinging crib. An
article of this kinda brass bassinet-
covered by canopy, costs $50. A SIM
pie crib, however, can be bought for
\43h- Single brass bedsteads are worth
s4S. while those of double size range in
price from $3S to 800. Among the
new designs in beds is a canopy which,
while it extends only over the pillows,
is a very handsome piece of furniture.
The head and foot pieces are made in
yariously fashioned patterns, as also
are the supports to the canopy which
can be had in damask, merinO, silk OF
satin. In a room where light is con.
tinually burned they are practical and
useful as well as ornamental.
Brass cabinets forty and sixty inches
high, with four or five shelves, are also
being made. They cost from $40 up,
The top and stanchions are of highly
polished metal, but. the shelves are
made of solid mahogany. Polished brass
dressing-cases, with beveled glass mir
rors, though pretty and elegant, are
very expensive. So also are the brass
chairs. To furnish a reception-room
or parlors with brass chairs would be
novel and dainty, but at $40 each most
people would have to be content witt
one or two. To the designs, pattern:
and shapes of the various articles made
of this metal there seems to be no end
The appearance of room is greatly
enhanced by brass easel, as is alst
the looks of the picture to which i
gives support. The number of articles
made of brass runs up into the thou
sands already-and the end is not yet
Shaving stands, wall pockets, fire
screens and such things exist in count
less varieties. The most popular con
ceits are the umbrella stand, usually
made in hammered goods, circular il
form and about foot in diameter; Goa
scuttles, used chiefly by people witt
nave oPeh hfe- PlhceS hhi SraoSS, u
stand beside the fireplace; match boxes
whisk broom holders, ash receivers ant
hall racks in polished oak with bras
mountings. Small thermometers o
clocks are sometimes set in the head o
a tennis bracket. The latest car,
picture-holder is made of brass in tn
semblance of flatiron. 1t is in tn
appointing of a house, however, tina
the craze is now mostly seen, an,
builders and architects generally ar
pulling their brains trying to find ney
places and new uses to which they cal
put the metal, and are thus comin
nearer and nearer to what is said vii
one day be house of brass.-M. !
EpDreSS.